While Iíve attended many auto industry conferences and conventions over
the years, Iím particularly looking forward to Auto Glass Weekô 2013,
and all this event entails.

Auto Glass Week will be held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa,
Fla., September 18 to 20.

Between educational seminars, networking, writing articles and making
videos and just taking it all in, I know my days will be filled from morning
to evening. I look forward to meeting all those Iíve been interviewing
over my six months with the company in person. As a part of my job, much
of my time is spent behind a desk, so whenever I can get out into the
field and met folks in person, I find it a true pleasure.

The keynote speakers at this yearís event have really caught my eye.
Like many of us, I was glued to the television when the terrorist attacks
occurred on September 11, 2001 and therefore I have marked my calendar
to hear Richard Picciotto, FDNY chief and the highest ranking firefighter
to survive the World Trade Center collapse, speak at 11 a.m. on Thursday,
September 19.

He was on the stairwell between the sixth and seventh floors of the North
Tower when it collapsed. Picciotto is expected to tell an outspoken account
of that day, shaking and inspiring audiences to the core.

Another keynoter that has caught my attention is Jim Abbott, a professional
baseball player and motivational speaker, who will discuss overcoming
obstacles and challenges. He was born without a right hand and yet went
on to be an All-American hurler at Michigan, won the Sullivan Award in
1987 and was a pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988. He threw
a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees against Cleveland in 1993.

Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will take center stage September 18 at
4:45 p.m. for meet and greet. He gained national attention when he won
the Camping World Truck Series Championship in 2000. He then went on to
win the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship in 2002. Also making him
high ranking in my book, he and his wife Nicole, founded the Greg Biffle
Foundation for the well-being of animals in 2005. As a big animal lover,
non-profit organizations that support animal welfare are held in a close
place near my heart.

And, of course, Iím excited to witness my first Auto Glass Replacement
and Repair Competitions in person. In my time covering the industry, Iíve
gained the utmost respect for those working on the frontlines and I look
forward to witnessing some of the best in action. Who will receive the
gold medals this year?

If you see me on the conference floor, please take a moment to introduce
yourself and say hi. Iím looking forward to meeting many of you in person.
I also invite you to drop me an email at jreed@glass.com. To learn more
about Auto Glass Week, visit www.autoglassweek.com.

Jenna Reed is the editor of AGRR™ magazine/glassBYTEs.com™. Connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter @agrrmagazine and like AGRR magazine on Facebook to receive the latest updates